Japan’s secondary aluminum demand to remain stable in FY 2018-19

Japan’s secondary aluminum demand is forecast to remain stable during the current fiscal year over April 2018 to March 2019, Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association said Monday.

Total demand, comprising casting and diecast alloys, rolled products and de-oxidization agents for steelmaking, is seen at 1.69 million mt, inching up just 0.3% from 1.685 million mt in the April 2017 to March 2018 period.

Demand for secondary aluminum for casting is forecast at 352,600 mt, down 0.1% from a year ago; diecast alloys at 1.01 million mt, up 0.2%; rolled aluminum at 209,700 mt, up 1%; and de-oxidization agents for steel at 115,600 mt, up 0.8%.

“Thanks to positive momentum in automotive and other export industries, demand in fiscal 2017 [ending in March 2018] was up 4.8% year-on-year … In [fiscal] 2018, demand is seen to hold stable,” the association said.

Domestic car sales are likely to fall in fiscal 2018-19 but this will be offset by an increase in demand for automotive component exports, the association added.